Why Bother Voting?

by Craig Berger and David Hoffman

Let’s be real: Your vote is not going to determine the outcome of the 2012 national election. Even state and county races will be decided by more votes than yours. So why bother voting? We think there are some excellent reasons:

Sometimes what matters is not just who wins but by how much. Take Maryland’s Question 6, which would allow gay and lesbian couples to marry. The outcome is going to send a message across America, and a part of that message is going to be encompassed in the amount of support for each side. Every vote will matter.

Public officials and candidates in the next election are going to know how many people in your demographic group voted, and that knowledge is likely to shape their priorities. If you want them to address the concerns of your age group (for example), you should show up and be counted.

The point of an election is not just to choose the winning candidates. It is also to affirm that we are one nation despite our differences. When you participate, you become symbolically connected to every living American, every patriot who ever sacrificed for our country, every civil rights hero, and to the Revolution itself. In the diverse faces standing in lines that bend around the walls of our schools, community centers, and government buildings, we see our family, friends, neighbors, and fellow citizens demonstrating their commitment to democracy. And they should see you.

To vote is to accept responsibility. Our communities and nation face countless challenges. Our governments at every level are taking action, or failing to act, in our name. You can turn your back and rage against the machine, or you can get your hands dirty building a better world. Voting alone is not going to fix anything, but it is an important step: a way of saying, “I’m here and ready to play my part.”

Voting is not just a civic ritual but a firsthand experience of the democratic process. What do you think of early voting? Electronic voting? Voting for electors rather than directly for President? Vote, gain some insight, and then do something about it.

A vote is a ticket to broader influence. Even if your vote will not determine the outcome of the election, your conversations and organizing work can inspire many other voters, enough to make a difference. But if you don’t vote, you have no credibility.

There is power in walking your talk. Vote, and you do not have to live with the image of yourself as a maker of excuses. Vote, and be proud that you did.